Xantia LHM leak from front pressure regulator

[xantia_v6]

This is the connector that I am working on today. The subframe is dropped about 50mm on the right, the fuel filler hose prevents it being dropped much more on that side, but the left can be dropped more (but watch the hydraulic pipes running to the front.

The subframe is held up by 2 bolts on each side. Your main challenge will be to safely support the rest of the car at a height where you can work underneath it.

In my case I replaced the green connector last year when it perished, but the current replacements are much harder and I apparently cracked the plastic pipe when refitting it.

I repaired the pipe with a rubber sleeve and crossed fingers.

[Dolmenman]

Nice work xantia_V6....you're a braver man than me.
As you say, jacking it up and supporting the subframe might a bridge too far for me at the moment. I've only a single small trolley jack and my axle stands are currently supporting a neighbours car which he seems in no hurry to return.
There was a place in England (Chevronics?) that sells those little "T"s. I won't know until I've looked.
I've just changed the oil in it (a lot of pipework round the filter) this evening and am looking at accessibility for changing the gator on the steering rack (it doesn't look promising). I'll probably try to get the back end up tomorrow and see what's going on with it.
I'm going to suggest to the owner that she looks for a mechanic who knows about these cars.
If anyone reading this knows a mechanic in Finisterre in France, I'd be grateful of a contact number.
I must say it's been invaluable finding this forum and I can't thank you guys enough for all the helpful advice.

[Stickyfinger]

How to lower the rear subframe......Be SAFE, use good axle stands on a FIRM BASE
viewtopic.php?p=743545&hilit=lower+rear ... me#p743545

Return system on a 1.8i 16v
1. Without HA

2. With HA

[CitroJim]

I've a piece of old carpet that I brought from Ireland a couple of years back....I'll get a look tomorrow.

Puppy training pads are good to put on the floor when fluids are likely to be spilt during work under a car... I know from experience they can mop up quite a lot of LHM...

We have Stickyfinger to thank for this tip

I find them invaluable for all sorts of things around the workshop... I even use one to line to drip tray that lives under my garaged AX...

[xantia_v6]

I even use one to line to drip tray that lives under my garaged AX...

I can't believe that it isn't house-trained yet.

[CitroJim]

I even use one to line to drip tray that lives under my garaged AX...

I can't believe that it isn't house-trained yet.

Well, given her extreme age and all that, you never know when all that might change...

[Dolmenman]

Have had a look at it and it's dripping from both sides now..
Most likely it's some of the rubber connectors that have perished.
Thanks for the info on how to drop the subframe, Stickyfinger, but upon reflection it's not a job I could tackle alone out here in France.
For a start the car would need to up about 3 feet at the rear and there's now way those crappy hollow concrete blocks they have here would support it. The path that is my "workshop" is also on a slope, with gravel and propping a car up on that would be just too dangerous.
There is a Citroen dealership not far (relatively) and I'm going to suggest to her that she contacts them for a quote as all the local mechanics say they won't touch the hydraulics on a Xantia.
Thanks for the help but I'm just going to have to admit defeat on this one.

[moizeau]

I have the same working enviroment as you, less the slope. I bought 8off 20x50cm parpaings (breeze blocks) and 2off 10x50cm parpaings, some red clay bricks I had knocking around. and a 4m length of planche de coffrage, cut it in 1/2 length ways (27mmx200mm) to make a ramp and lift the whole car up. Order or construction....red brick, 10cm pp then 4off 20cm pp's with another red brick placed between the 10 and 20cm pp. Pp's laid on their sides. Then lay the planche de coffrage over the 20cm pps to share the weight.
Invaluable and easily stored away.

[Dolmenman]

Thanks for the reply, moizeau.
That would make a good ramp, but I would still need at least one other trolley jack and to be honest, I'm too afraid of damaging something elseas these cars seem to have a lot of fragile pipework.
I've told her to phone around some mechanics and even a Citroen Garage in Chateaulin.
She unfortunately seems unconcerned.
I'll have a think about it if the cost of a garage is too exorbitant.

[Stickyfinger]

At "worst" it is about 2hous work.....

"worst" = an over charging garage